Chapter 6 - Wind Farm, Industrial and Construction Noise

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the assessment of noise from common sources of noise that are not transportation sources. Traditional industrial noise sources are considered but we also discuss other related sources such as port noise, mining noise and noise from construction sites. Further, owing to the increase of prevalence of wind farms around the world, we also consider noise form wind turbines in some detail. Unlike transportation noise sources, it is generally not possible to model industrial noise sources independently; there are no national standards to predict noise emission from sites of industrial activity. For existing sources, noise emission data must be determined through site measurements, while predictions for green-field developments are usually based on emission measurements from similar existing sites. To assess the overall impact of site activity on a local community, a strategic noise map may be a useful tool. The emission input data required to develop a strategic noise map of an industrial source are again obtained through site measurements. If such an assessment was extended across an agglomeration, it would become unfeasible to measure at every industrial site in the study area. In these cases, a number of simplifications must be introduced to the assessment. This chapter explains how strategic noise maps may be developed for sites of industrial activity and outlines the steps involved to determine noise emission values. The chapter also considers why industrial noise is treated differently to transportation sources. Similar to road, rail and air sources, industrial noise is also perceived in a different manner by individuals.